Power shift mechanism for keyboard perforators and counters



y 31, 1951 Y T. I. PRZYSIECKI 2,562,737

POWER SHIFT MECHANISM FOR KEYBOARD PERFORATORS AND COUNTERS Filed Aug.25. 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

l $4 77 .v; 9 7 y ,7

THEODORE I. PRZYSIECKI avg mm ATTORNEY July 31, 1951 T. PRZYSIE2,562,737

POWER SHIFT MECHANISM KEYBOARD PERFORATORS AND COUNTERS Filed Aug. 25,1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR THEODORE I. PRZYSIECKI ATTORNEY PatentedJuly 31, 1951 POWER SHIFT MECHANISM FOR KEYBOARD PERFORATORS ANDCOUNTERS Theodore I. Przysiecki, Park Ridge, Ill., assignor toTeletypesetter Corporation, Chicago, 111., a

corporation of Delaware Application August 25, 1949, Serial No. 112,222

Claims. 1

This invention relates to composing systems and apparatus therefor andparticularly to improvements in perforators and counters which may beutilized for preparing a perforated strip for the automatic control ofcomposing machines.

The primary object of the present invention is to enhance theoperativeness of a keyboard perforator and counter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power operated shift andunshift mechanism for keyboard devices.

' A further object is to provide a positive means for shifting thecounting code magazine of a keyboard perforator and counter.

Composing machines of the linecasting type are provided with matricesconsisting of small brass units carrying indented characters in theiredges, which are of different thicknesses due to the fact that thecharactersvary in width. To produce lines of type, the matrices areassembled into a line of predetermined definite length before thecasting operation is performed, the number of matrices necessary tocomplete a line varying with the particular matrices already assembled.The length of the line, therefore, is dependent upon the thickness ofthe several characters or matrices comprising the line.

It is necessary, during the preparation of a control strip representinglines of composed matter for the production of..the slugs or lines oftype, to totalize the various thicknesses of matrices so that theoperator will be apprised of the length of line remaining available aseach key is operated, and can judge the justiflability of the line.Shift and unshift operations are required to enable proper countingoperations to be performed in the upper and lower cases.

To achieve the above and other objects of the invention, the keyboardperforator and counter, according to U. S. Patent No. 2,059,250 issuedto H. L. Krum is modified to embody the features of the presentinvention. In addition to the Krum patent, reference should also be hadto U. 8. Patent No. 2,080,424, granted May 18, 1937, and U. S. PatentNo. 2,083,570, granted June 15, 1937, to E. S. Larson et al. and E. S.Larson, respectively, for a full and comprehensive disclosure of akeyboard perforator and counter in which the features may be embodied.These patents are incorporated by reference into this specification.

In accordance with the present embodiment of the invention, the keyboardincludes key levers, arranged in a manner characteristic of type- 2writers, which operate through a permutation selector mechanismcontained in the housing of the perforator and counter apparatus, toposition permutably a series of code discs of a selector to select oneof a circumferentially arranged series of rods. A counting barrel orrotor, to which a continuous torque is imparted, is provided with acircumierentially arranged series of slides, an operated one of whichcooperates with the selected rods to determine the degree of rotation ofthe counting barrel. Thus, as the counting barrel is rotated throughvariable angles according to the rod selected, like rotation is impartedto a spiral gear operatively associated with the counting barrel.Through a suitable gear train, variable motion is imparted to a matrixpointer associated with an indicator dial.

As the keys are depressed, the matrix pointer will be moved throughvarious cumulative distances corresponding to the widths or thicknessesof the matrices represented by the keys. The variable motion imparted tothe matrix pointer may be adjusted for different fonts of type byinterposing between the key levers and the selector mechanism for thecounting device an interchangeable code bar unit comprising a pluralityof pairs of elements, one pair allotted to each key lever and operablethereby. Means is provided for shifting the counting code bar unit fromits lower case to upper case positions and vice versa by a poweroperated shift device under the control of the shift and unshift keylevers respectively, and also to provide means for insuring the promptreturn of the matrix pointer to its beginning-of-line position during asingle revolution of the operating clutch release mechanism.

A more comprehensive understanding of the present invention may be hadfrom the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters representsimilar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings, 1

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a perforator and counter with partsbroken away showing the apparatus necessary for an understanding of thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the mechanism for carrying out thepresent invention; and

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view showing the shift mechanism accordingto the present invention.

Having reference to Fig. 1 it is noted that most of the parts shown havetheir counterpart in the structure illustrated in U. 3. Patent No.2,059,250,

the entire perforating mechanism not being shown, but which,nevertheless, is operatively a part of the present invention. In Fig. 1a plurality of key levers II are pivoted on a common rod (not shown) andare normally held in horizontal position by individual springs (notshown) These key levers extend over a number of pairs of selector barsl2 and i3 included in the perforator selector unit indicated generallyby the numeral l4, and the pairs of bars l5 and I5 (Fig. 3) included inthe selecting unit of the counting mechanism indicated generally as H.Each key lever H is arranged to depress one of the bars |2--|3 or |5|5of each pair of bars. Through the medium of rocker arms |8, the bar |2or |3 lifts the other bar of the pair and reciprocates longitudinally abar I9 cooperatively associated with and subjacently disposed to eachpair of bars l2 and I3 to impart corresponding movement to theassociated pivoted member 2|. The members 2|, as disclosed in saidpatent, control the operation of punch interference elements 22 in thetape perforating unit 23. Bars l9 are set in characteristiccombinations, and for this purpose, bars l2 and |3 are provided withnotched upper edges, the bars.of each pair being complements; that is,the high portions of one bar are disposed opposite the low portions ofthe other bar of the same general pair.

Interposed between the series of key levers II and the counter selectorunit I1 is a removable and interchangeable code bar unit, indicatedgenerally by the numeral 24, which carries therein a plurality of pairsof coded elements 25. In this manner, there is allotted to each of thekey levers H a pair of coded elements 25 which coact with the pairs ofpermutation bars l5 and I5 of the counter selecting unit H.

The removable code bar unit 24 for carrying the pairs of coded elements25 comprises a channel-shaped member having a webbed portion 25 and sidewalls 21 and 28,which are. in turn, provided with flanges 29 and 3|,respectively (Fig. 3). The web 25 is provided with rectangular apertures32 (Fig. 1) to guide the vertical projections 33 and 34 of the codedelements 25. The flanges 29 and 3| have notches in vertical alignmentwith the apertures 32 to insure" the vertically guided movement of thecoded elements 25.

The coded elements 25 are retained in their uppermost positions byindividual retention springs 35, each of which, as indicated in Fig. 3,comprises a coil spring having its extremity extended tangentiallythereto and oppositely directed therefrom, which, in turn, terminates inlaterally disposed portions adapted to coact with the inner surface,respectively, of projections 33 and 34 of the coded elements 25. Thesesprings 35 are mounted upon a rod 31 carried in the unit 24. A guidemember 38 guides the extremities of the springs 35.

44 which, in turn, are supported upon links 45, I

carrier 4| is accomplished in parallel motion manner by shift mechanismwhich, according to the present invention, is controlled by the shiftkey lever 48 and unshift key lever 45 (Fig. 1) through power means to bepresently described.

In order to associate the proper projections 58 on the counting codeelements 25 with the proper counting selector bars l5 and I5, it isnecessary to shift the position of the code bar unit 24 from right toleft, or vice versa, as viewed in Fig. 3, which is from front to rear,or vice versa. of the keyboard apparatus. This movement is accomplished,as previously indicated, by means of the shift and unshift key levers 48and 49, having reference to Fig. 1. When any key lever II is depressed,the selector bars l5 and I5 will be moved in accordance with thelocation of the projections 58 on the code elements 25 to cause themovement of the permutation bars 59 (which are operatively associatedwith the pairs of selector bars I5 and I5 in a manner similar to theassociation of bars I! with the selector bars l2 and I3) in variouspermutations. As indicated in Fig. 3, the code projections 58 on one ofthe elements 25 are effective in one position, and the projections 58 onthe other element 25 of the pair are effective in another position. Thecarrier 4| is shown in Fig. 3 in its right-hand or unshift position, inwhich position, the projections 58 of the rear element 25 are observedas being in cooperative relation with the selector bars |5 or l5. In theposition shown, the projections 55 of the front element 25 are observedas being out of cooperative relation with bars I5 and I6. When thecarrier 4| is moved to the shift or leftward position, the projections58 on the front element 25 will be disposed in cooperative relation withthe bars |5 or I5, and the projections of the rear element 25 will beout of cooperative relation with bars l5 and I5.

The bars 59, Fig. 3, as fully described in said Patent No. 2,059,250,are operatively connected to a corresponding series of Y-shaped members5| (Fig. l) which are adapted to be positioned in accordance with theoperation of the permutation bars 55 to control the setting of aplurality of notched discs 52, forming part of a code disc selector,indicated generally by the numeral 53. Individual to each of the members5| and notched code discs 52 is a transfer lever 54, which is pivotallymounted on a rod 55 carried in a bracket (not shown) operated in amanner described in said Patent No. 2,059,250, to reciprocate thetransfer levers vertically. Upon reciprocation, the transfer levers 54will be moved into cooperative relation with the Y-shaped members 5|;that is, whether the members 5| are swung to the right or left, asviewed in Fig. l, the abutments 50 of the transfer levers 54 will engageor be free of one or the other of the abutments 10 on the upper endof'Y-shaped members 5| to cause the discs 52 to be rocked in either aclockwise or a counterclockwise direction. With the Y-shaped members 5|operated in varying permutations in accordance with the movement of thepermutation bars 59, the disc 52 will likewise be rotated in varyingpermutations and will, for each permutation, cause an alignment ofnotches formed in the periphery of the discs.

Cooperating with the notches in the discs 52 are a plurality of rods 55arranged with anti-friction rollers 51, there being a rod individual toeach 'setof aligned notches. Each of the rods 55 is centripetally'biasedby the garter spring 58. In this'manner, the rods 55 tend to moveradially toward a common center into the notches of the disc 62, butinasmuch as the notches are arranged so that for each setting of thediscs. only one group of notches will be in transverse alignment, onlyone of the rods 66 for each selectionwill move into the notches. Also,the notches in the discs 62 are arranged so that when the discs aremoved for a subsequent selection, the previously selected rod 66 will becammed outwardly against the action of the spring 60. Carried on therighthand end of each of the rods 66 is a stop member 69 (Fig. 1) whichslides in slots formed in a circular member I I.

To the right of the code disc selector 63 (as viewed in Fig. 1) is acounting barrel or rotor 12 forming part of the counting mechanism,which is rotated by power communicated from a continuously rotatingmotor (not shown), through a friction clutch 13. The counting unit 12comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged slides 14, which arelongitudinally slidable and adapted to coact with the stop members 69 todetermine the degree of rotation of unit 12, and any of the slides I4which are found in the zero position are operated invariably by a lever(not shown), while a previously operated slide is simultaneouslyrestored to its normal or nonoperated position by a collar 15 toaccomplish, through the coaction of an operated slide 14 and a selectedstop member 69, the incrementally progressive movement of the countingunit 12. The counting unit 12 includes a shaft 16 on which is formed aworm 11.

As previously mentioned, the slides 14 cooperate with the rods 69 toarrest the rotation of the counting unit 12, which is driven. throughfriction clutch 13, to cause a corresponding degree of rotation to worm11. The rotation of the worm 11, which meshes with a gear secured to ashaft 19, causes the correspondingly angular 'rotation of a shaft 0|,through gears 02 and 03. Shaft 8| imparts rotation, through a meansfully disclosed in said Patent No. 2,059,250 and illustrated in Fig. ofsaid patent, to the matrix pointer 86 (shaft 3| being comparable toshaft 2 I2 of said patented disclosure);

As shown in Fig. 1. the indicator comprises a bracket 81, which carriespivotally thereon, through the instrumentality of member I60, a dial 60,which is provided adjacent to its outer arouate edge with a scale orseries of graduations representing incrementsof a maximum length ofline. The reverted end of a matrix pointer 06 moves along this edgepfthe dial from left to right, towards zero, in response to thetotalization of the matrix thicknesses by the counting mechanism. Thus,the distance from the pointer 06 to zero indicates the amount of spaceleft in the line to be filled with matrices if the line contains. nospace bands. However, if space bands are inserted in the line, the spaceremaining to be filled varies with the number of space bands inserted.Consequently, to indicate the iustiflability of the composed line, apair of space band pointers 09 and 9| are provided, the distance betweenthe pointers 69 and 9I indicating the amount of expansibility of thespace bands. In the embodiment shown, the dial 00 is articulated to theminimum space band pointer 9I, through a pin 92, and is movable withsaid pointer. The space left in the line to be filled when space bandsare inserted is represented by the distance between the matrix pointer06 and any point between space band pointers 09 and 9i. The mannor ofeffecting the differential or proportional movement of pointers 00 and9| toward the left 6 (from their zero position) is fully set forth insaid Patent No. 2,059,250. The return of the indicating mechanism to thebeginning-of-line position is effected in the manner disclosed in saidPatent No. 2,059,250 by operating a clutch I00 carriedonashaft IOI.

Having reference to Figs. 1 and 2, a bar I02 is provided which issimilar to bar 29I of the structure shown in said Patent No. 2,059,250.Like said bar Hi, the bar I02 is slidably mounted for reciprocablemovement and is connected pivotally at one end to the downwardlydirected arm of bell crank lever I03 (similar to bell crank lever 205 ofsaid patent) pivotally supported on a pivot shaft I04. Bell crank leverI03 is operated by a cam (not shown) carried on shaft MI, in the mannerdescribed in said Patent No. 2,059,250.

As shown in Fig. 2, the reciprocating bar I02 carries at its end,opposite to the bell crank I03, 9. pair of attrahently biased pawls orinterponents I05 and I06 which are mounted pivotally on pivot stud I01secured to the bar I02. Interponents I05 and I06 are biased attrahently,or toward each other, by a spring I 09, to cooperate with mechanismhereinafter described, controlled by the shift key lever 48 and theunshift key lever 49, to shift the carrier or cradle H. The shiftingmovement is accomplished in the following manner. Suitably carried inthe portion 41 are bell cranks 6| and 52 pivoted at 53 and 54,respectively. The horizontal arms of hell cranks 5I and 52 are adaptedto coact with shift and unshift key levers 48- and 49, and the dependingarms of bell cranks 5| and 52 are pivotally connected to a bar 55 whichis slidably carried in the portion 41. Bar 55 is provided at its rightend with a stud 56 by means of which her 55 is pivotally articulated tothe depending arm of a bell crank lever 51 pivotally supported on apivot stud 50 mounted on a bracket 59 secured to the base portion IGI.

v The horizontal arm of hell crank 51 is connected pivotally by means ofstud I62 to one arm of a lever I63 pivotally mounted on a pivot I64carried in the bracket 59. Lever 51 is provided with a hole I65 to clearthe pivot I64. Lever 51 is also provided with a v-shaped end whichcooperates with a spring detent member I66. The other arm of lever I63terminates in a laterally directed portion I61 having a bifurcatedextremity adapted to cooperate with the free ends of the interponentsI05 and I06.

When the unshift key lever 49 is depressed the bell crank lever 52 isrotated in a clockwise direction, and the bar 55 is actuated leftwardly(as viewed in Fig. 2), thereby imparting clockwise rotation to the bellcrank lever 51. Through its pivotal connection I62 with lever I63, thelatter lever is rocked clockwise to cause its lateral portion I61 topress interponent I06 downwardly against the action of spring H28.Spring I08 thereby biases the companion interponent I05 clockwise tocause said interponent to bear against a lever arm I66 of a U-shapedlever I69, and to bring the tooth I1I on said interponent I05 intooperative engagementwith said lever arm I66. Then upon the cyclicreciprocation of bar I02, the pawl or interponent I05 is first actuatcdleftwardly (as viewed in Fig. 2), whereby tooth I1I imparts, through armI68, clockwise rotation to lever I69 against the action of its springI10. During this movement of bar I02, the interponent I66 is held out ofoperative engagement with its respective operating lever I12 by thelateral portion I61 of lever I63.

Lever I68 is mounted pivotally on the pivot shaft I13, and its arm I14terminates in a vertical portion carrying an abutting screw orcooperator I15 which cooperates with a lateral projection I16 on theupper arm of a lever I11 mounted on a pivot I18. The lower arm of leverI11 terminates in a bifurcation which straddles a. pivot stud I19carried on a projection I8I integrally associated with the cradle II.The projection I8I and stud I19 thereby form a coupling instrumentalitybetween lever I11 and cradle 4|. Thus, when clockwise rotation isimparted to lever I59 by interponent I05, as previously described, theabutting screw I15 acts through the projection I16 to rotate the leverI11 clockwise about the pivot I18. In this manner the cradle II isshifted from the full line position show in Fig. 3 to the positionexemplified by the dot and dash line 40, thereby presenting a difierentarrangement of wards or code projections 58 to the selector bars I5 andI5.

When the shift lever 48 is depressed, the bell crank lever 5I is rotatedin a counterclockwise direction, and the bar 55 is actuated rightwardly,

thereby imparting counterclockwise rotation to the bell crank lever 51.Through the pivotal connection I62, counterclockwise rotation is alsoimparted to lever I63 to cause the bifurcated end of lateral portion I61to lift the interponent I06 upwardly against the action of spring I08thereby removing tooth I'll from operative relation with lever arm I68.Spring I08 at the same time biases the interponent I06 counterclockwiseto cause said interponent to bear against the lever '12 thereby bringingthe tooth I83 into operative relation with said lever I12. Then, inresponse to the cyclic reciprocation of bar I02, the pawl or interponentI06 is first actuated leftwardly, whereby the tooth I83 impartsclockwise rotation to the lever I12 about its pivot I84.

Lever I12 cooperates with an arm I85 of a U- shaped lever I86 mountedpivotally on said pivot I13, and normally biased clockwise by a springI81. Arm I88 of lever I86 terminates in a vertical portion carrying anabutting screw or cooperator I88 which, like screw I15, cooperates withthe lateral projection I16 on the upper arm of lever I11. Thus, whenclockwise rotation is imparted to lever I12 by interponent I06, aspreviously described, the lever I86 is rotated counterclockwise throughthe coaction of lever I12 and lever arm I85. When the lever I86 is thusrotated counterclockwise, it will cause, through abutting screw I89,counterclockwise rotation to be imparted to the lever I11 about thepivot I18. In this manner, the cradle 4| is shifted from the leftwardposition, exemplified by the dot and dash line 40 (Fig. 3), to the fullline position (or rightward) position shown, thereby changing therelative positions of coded projections 58 and the selector bars 58.

Having reference to Fig. 1, lever I11 terminates at its upper end in abifurcation adapted to cooperate with a pivot stud I9I carried on thedepending arm of a U-shaped lever I82 supported pivotally on a pivotshaft I93. In this manner, lever I11 is pivotally articulated to thelever I82. A spring I94 normally biases the lever I88 in acounterclockwise direction. Connected pivotally to the horizontal arm oflever I93 is one end of a link I95, the other end of which is connectedpivotally to the rightwardly directed arm of a lever I96 suitablypivoted on a pivot shaft I81. The leftwardly directed arm of the leverI86 carries at its extremity a target I88 which has on its front face orsurface colorations indicative of the position of the cradle 4 I. In theparticular embodiment shown, the target I88 is visible through anopening I98 formed in the dial MI and serves to indicate to the operatorby means of colors the position of the cradle 4| and hence the code barunit 24.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in connection with theperiorator and counter, it is of course, understood that the inventionis capable of embodiment in many and varied applications other than thatspecifically disclosed without departure from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a keyboard apparatus, a series of keys comprising character keysand shift and unshift keys, a counting mechanism comprising means tototalize various additive amounts and to indicate continuously suchtotalizations, counting controlling means controlling the countingmechanism, a unit carrying a plurality of coded elements to controlcounting, parallel motion means for supporting said unit provided with acoupling instrumentaiity, means cooperating with said instrumentality toeflect shifting of said unit, a pair of bell crank levers havingconfronting cooperators cooperable with said means, a pair ofattrahently biased interponents having confronting teeth cooperablealternately with said bell crank levers, a power means a cyclicallyreciprocable member operated by said power means for operating saidinterponents, cam means for operating said member, and shift and unshiftkey means for determining the coaction between said interponents andsaid bell crank levers, whereby said parallel motion means is shifted toeither of two positions.

2. In a keyboard apparatus, a series of keys, a counting mechanismcomprising means to totalize various additive amounts and to indicatecontinuously such totalizations, a unit carrying a plurality of codedelements for controlling said counting mechanism, parallel motion meansfor supporting said unit, means for shifting said parallel motion meansto either of two positions, a pair of means having confrontingcooperators cooperable with said shifting means, a power operatedreciprocating means comprising a pair of attrahently biased interponentshaving confronting teeth cooperable alternatively with said pair ofmeans, and key controlled means for determining the coaction betweensaid interponents and said pair of means, whereby the effectiveness ofsaid shifting means is determined.

3. In a keyboard apparatus, a series of keys, mechanism to be operated,a unit carrying a plurality of coded elements for controlling saidmechanism, means for supporting said unit, means for shifting saidsupporting means to either of two positions, a pair of means cooperablewith said shifting means, a power operated reciprocating meanscomprising a pair of interponents normally biased toward each other,said interponents having elements cooperable alternatively with saidpair of means, and means controlled by said keys for determining thecoaction between said interponents and said pair of means.

4. In a keyboard apparatus, a series of keys, mechanism to be operated,a unit carrying a plurality of coded elements for controlling saidmechanism, means for supporting said unit, parallel motion means torshitting said supporting means to either of two positions, a pair ofmeans cooperable with said shifting means, a power operatedreciprocating means comprising a pair of interponents normally biasedtoward each other, said interponents having elements cooperablealternatively with said pair of means, and means controlled by certainof said keys for determining the coaction between said interponents andsaid pair of means, whereby the effectiveness of said parallel motionmeans is determined.

5. In a' keyboard apparatus, a series of keys,

mechanism to be operated, a unit carrying a plurality of coded elementsfor controlling said mechanism, pivoted carrier means for supportingsaid unit, operating means comprising a pair of means for pivoting saidcarrier means to determine the shift or unshiit position of said unit,said pivoting 10 means comprising a power operated reciprocating meansincluding a pair or interponents normally biased toward each other andhaving elements cooperable alternatively with said pair of means, andmeans controlled by certain of said keys for determining the coactionbetween said interponents and said pair of means.

THEODORE I. PRZYSIECKI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 15 Number Name Date 2,059,250 Krum Nov. 3, 19362,080,424 Larson May 18, 1937

